Monday, 3rd Week of Advent

Zechariah 1:7-17
The Daily Office

Like Haggai, Zechariah was a prophet in Jerusalem at the time of the restoration. The Jewish people had been allowed to return to Judah by the Persian Empire. But discouraged by the opposition of the local people, who had come from other nations in the Jews' absence, they had not rebuilt the Temple. Like Haggai, Zechariah encouraged them to trust in God's care. Today, we see the first of many visions that Zechariah received. The Jewish people keenly felt the oppression of "the nations," and through his prophet, God reassures the Jewish people that they shall not continue in peaceful ease while they oppress God's people.

We all say that we want "peace." But what is "peace?" In this case, peace is equated with "ease." When things are easy, when we don't have to worry about anything – or anyone – getting in our way, then we can claim to be at peace. But is that really peace, or just the calm before the storm? The most powerful peace is not a naïve assurance of power and luxury. True peace sees that in this uncertain world, we are totally dependent on the world's maker. And rather than seeking vain assurance against uncertainty, true peace trusts in the goodness and love of the God who sees the whole universe, but who also sees you and me. Knowing that I am seen by the God of the universe; now that is peace.